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Universal Preschool in California: Promising Practices for Mixed Delivery Systems

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Title: Universal Preschool in California: Promising Practices for Mixed Delivery Systems
Language: English
Authors: Hanna Melnick, Marjorie E. Wechsler, Victoria Wang, Sara Plasencia, Learning Policy Institute
Source: Learning Policy Institute. 2026.
Availability: Learning Policy Institute. 1530 Page Mill Road Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94304. Tel: 650-332-9797; e-mail: info@learningpolicyinstitute.org; Web site: https://learningpolicyinstitute.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 63
Publication Date: 2026
Sponsoring Agency: Ballmer Group
Heising-Simons Foundation
Kelson Foundation
Document Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Preschool Education
Descriptors: Preschool Education, Access to Education, Delivery Systems, Child Care Centers, Child Care, Federal Programs, Low Income Students, Social Services, Public Schools, Governance, Educational Administration, Enrollment, Educational Quality, Standards, Wages
Geographic Terms: California
Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: Head Start
Abstract: In 2021, California committed to providing preschool for all 4-year-olds and income-eligible 3-year-olds by 2025-26. The largest investment in public preschool was the expansion of transitional kindergarten (TK), a preschool program run exclusively in public schools. At the same time, state policymakers committed to maintaining a mixed delivery system (i.e., a system in which preschool and child care are offered in a variety of settings). In California, the mixed delivery system includes TK, the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), Head Start, licensed family child care homes, and licensed child care centers. Mixed delivery systems have many benefits. They increase capacity to serve children across the state, expand parent choice, and support small businesses. However, operating a mixed delivery system is challenging because the governance of preschool programs is spread across multiple agencies, and each program has different eligibility thresholds, quality standards, workforce supports, and reporting requirements. This complex system is difficult for families and providers to understand and navigate. It also results in programs of varying quality. In this report, the authors examine local implementation of preschool within California's mixed delivery system, elevating promising practices to support access to high-quality early learning experiences. This report examines two districts and two cities that are taking a range of approaches to align their preschool programs and increase access to high-quality early learning within California's mixed delivery system. The report looks at how they approach preschool governance and administration, access and enrollment, quality standards and monitoring, workforce compensation and development, and reinforcing the mixed delivery system. California has made meaningful progress toward expanding access to preschool, but realizing the full promise of the state's mixed delivery system will require a shared vision and cooperation across state and local agencies. Streamlining governance, simplifying family enrollment, aligning quality standards, better supporting the workforce, and reinforcing the mixed delivery system can make the system more equitable and navigable for families and providers alike.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED681228
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Universal Preschool in California: Promising Practices for Mixed Delivery Systems
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  Data: Learning Policy Institute. 1530 Page Mill Road Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94304. Tel: 650-332-9797; e-mail: info@learningpolicyinstitute.org; Web site: https://learningpolicyinstitute.org
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22California%22">California</searchLink>
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  Data: In 2021, California committed to providing preschool for all 4-year-olds and income-eligible 3-year-olds by 2025-26. The largest investment in public preschool was the expansion of transitional kindergarten (TK), a preschool program run exclusively in public schools. At the same time, state policymakers committed to maintaining a mixed delivery system (i.e., a system in which preschool and child care are offered in a variety of settings). In California, the mixed delivery system includes TK, the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), Head Start, licensed family child care homes, and licensed child care centers. Mixed delivery systems have many benefits. They increase capacity to serve children across the state, expand parent choice, and support small businesses. However, operating a mixed delivery system is challenging because the governance of preschool programs is spread across multiple agencies, and each program has different eligibility thresholds, quality standards, workforce supports, and reporting requirements. This complex system is difficult for families and providers to understand and navigate. It also results in programs of varying quality. In this report, the authors examine local implementation of preschool within California's mixed delivery system, elevating promising practices to support access to high-quality early learning experiences. This report examines two districts and two cities that are taking a range of approaches to align their preschool programs and increase access to high-quality early learning within California's mixed delivery system. The report looks at how they approach preschool governance and administration, access and enrollment, quality standards and monitoring, workforce compensation and development, and reinforcing the mixed delivery system. California has made meaningful progress toward expanding access to preschool, but realizing the full promise of the state's mixed delivery system will require a shared vision and cooperation across state and local agencies. Streamlining governance, simplifying family enrollment, aligning quality standards, better supporting the workforce, and reinforcing the mixed delivery system can make the system more equitable and navigable for families and providers alike.
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Preschool Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Access to Education
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      – SubjectFull: Delivery Systems
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      – SubjectFull: Child Care Centers
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      – SubjectFull: Federal Programs
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      – SubjectFull: California
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      – SubjectFull: Head Start
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      – TitleFull: Universal Preschool in California: Promising Practices for Mixed Delivery Systems
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